Black Beauty

120 Black Beauty.CHAPTER XXXI.A HUMBUGMy master was not immediately suited, but in a few daysmy new groom came. He was a tall, good-looking fellowenough ; but if there was a humbug in the shape of a groom,Alfred Smirk was the man. He was very civil to me, andnever used me ill ;in fact he did a great deal of stroking andpatting, when his master was there to see it. He alwaysbrushed my mane and tail with water, and my hoofs with oil,before he brought me to the door, to make me look smartbut as to cleaning my feet, or looking to my shoes, or groomingme thoroughly, he thought no more of that than if I hadbeen a cow. He left my bit rusty, 7ny saddle damp, and mycrupper stiff.Alfred Smirk considered himself very handsome ; he spenta great deal of time about his hair, whiskers, and aecktiebefore a little looking-glass in the harness room. When hismaster was speaking to him, it was always, " Yes, sir ;yes,sir,"—touching his hat at every word ; and every one thoughthe was a very nice young man, and that Mr. Barry was veryfortunate to meet with him. I should say he was the laziest,most conceited fellow I ever came near. Of course it was agreat thing not to be ill-used, but then a horse wants morethan that. I had a loose box, and might have been verycomfortable if he had not been too indolent to clean it out.He never took all the straw away, and tJie smell from whatlay Miderncath was very bad ; while the strong vapors thatrose made my eyes smart and inflame, and I did not feel thesame appetite for my food.